Favorite Plaid Skirts + Loafers

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Skirt: Vintage (grandmother's)
Top: Thrifted (Cold Water Creek)
Shoes: Thrifted (Old Bass)
Purse: Thrifted (Vintage Coach)
Necklace: Gift



If there is any combo that is my go to in the Fall it would have to be Plaid skirts and loafers! I can't get enough of them! I think I have five different pairs of loafers and I LOVE them all so much:) There is something simply classic about plaid skirts and laofers. Maybe it is the fact that they are such an easy pairing....you can't go wrong with two of the most classic pieces in any wardrobe. They give off classic school girl vibes, preppy styles, and vintage inspired pieces.

With that being said, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite plaid skirts and loafers with you all in case you have been on the hunt for a new addition to your fall wardrobe:) The pieces above are some of my favorites that I have run across or have similar pieces to in my own closet!

As for this style post, I particularly LOVE this vintage wrap skirt because it has so many colors in it and is so cheery and vibrant (plus it goes with everything). I chose to pair it with this rust colored shirt that I picked up at a thrift store and have been wearing non stop because it is so comfortable + so pretty:) Since this look was so simple I paired it with Bass loafers and my vintage coach purse to finish off the look. On days that I don't know what to wear combo's like this are definitely my go to and honestly I think if I could only wear one thing for the rest of my life this is what I would choose:)

Are you a fan of plaids and loafers?
What is your favorite combo?

 -Madison 

Minnie Muse is 4 + What I've Learned As a BLogger

Monday, October 23, 2017

**Photos by my bestie Elizabeth**
Skirt: Thrifted
Top: Faded Glory
Boots: Target
6 years ago my dream was to start a blog. I dreampt of creating a place to share my thoughts, my love for fashion and style, and tidbits of my life. One fall 4 years ago that dream became a reality, and I have LOVED every minute of it!
 I remember when I first discovered that there was such as thing as "fashion blogs" and I would spend hours pouring over posts, getting inspiration, finding people who had similar styles as me, and dreaming of one day being just like them. While 4 years really isn't all that long ago (I was just starting college) it seems like so much has happened between then and now, especially with Minnie Muse. 

As a blogger, growth is part of the process. You find yourself through the journey of creating, designing, and publishing a blog, posts, outfits, etc. You change, your style changes, and you find who you are (or at least that was the case for me). Blogging has always been my outlet.....my place to reach an audience I never knew I could have the power to reach! A place to connect, inspire, and meet darling, creative, and dear souls who inspire me with their words, style, and joy of life. 

I have always said this on Minnie Muse, but IT IS YOU....THE READERS who make what I do worth it and make me want to keep creating. 

With all my gushy thoughts out of the way its time to celebrate, because Minnie Muse is 4 years old!!! And with that I thought it would be fun to share some of the random, odd, amazing, and important things I have learned over the years, because since starting a blog it has been a journey of learning and discovery every day!

  1. Blogging is time consuming....whoever thought you could just take pictures and post them on a blog was mistaken.....there have been many a time that I have stayed up well past my beadtime editing pictures, writing posts, and creating content (because I am a full time student and part time blogger). The whole phrase "student/teacher by day and blogger by night" is 100% my life!
  2. Blogging connects you with the sweetest and dearest internet friends! I can't begin to tell you all of the lovely people I have come to know through blogging....many of them people I have never even met in person, yet I feel that we all share a bond because of our common interests. These dear ladies are people who encourage each other (and me), leave comments on things we like that the other person is doing or wearing, and we all share a common passion. I have had the pleasure of meeting a couple of those darling souls in real life (such a treat), but even those who I only know over a screen, I still feel as though we are close friends:)
  3. Don't let my seeminly put together life fool you....my posts might feature me in skirts and dresses with curly hair and a full face of makeup, but what you don't see is me writing those posts, sitting on my bed in an oversized tshirt, yoga pants, no makeup, and a messy bun. Behind the scenes it isn't as glamorous as what is pictured in front of the camera. 
  4. Being a blogger you learn that the parts about yourself that you are often most "insecure about" are sometimes the very things that people compliment you on! Now, let me be clear to state that I am not a blogger because I need praise and compliments (in fact I am horrible & awkward at taking compliments) but sometimes the posts where I was just not feeling 100% or the pictures where I was actually having a bad breakout (partially covered by makeup) are most often the pictures people say sweet things about and it makes you realize that the insecurities don't really matter.....you are perfect just the way you are:)
  5. COFFEE is my creative juice! Seriously, you will very rarely find me writing a post without a cup of coffee (in a cute mug mind you) close by! 
  6. It can be lonely! While I do have blogging friends online and daily am inspired by other bloggers, being a blogger myself can be quite a solitary job.....the terms "me myself and I" and "party of one" are VERY REAL as a blogger! Sure...I am an introvert and LOVE to be alone, but sometimes I just want someone (IRL) who understands my dreams and passions and shares in those same things. Plus Texas isn't your biggest fashion blogger hub, so a lot of my favorite bloggers live in other states. 
  7. I have learned that I create high expectations for myself that are sometimes impossible to reach and when I don't accomplish them I feel as though I have let people down. I set expectations for myself & the blog in regards to posts I want to do, videos I want to shoot, or the number of times I create something new for the blog in a week, but LIFE HAPPENS 99.9% of the time and the things I WANT don't (hardly ever) happen and I have to accept that its life.....and life isn't perfect.....and that people will understand....and that at the end of the day I am not here to please other people because if that were the case I would fail every time! 
  8. The comparison game is real & relevant! Okay, so I really am not one to compare myself to others, but as a blogger it is sometimes hard seeing others who are able to blog full time, etc. and not be able to do that or feel like its able to be accomplished. 
  9. It's a ONE WOMAN show most of the time! A number of fashion bloggers hire photographers or have husbands or boyfriends who are photographers or learn to take their pictures for them (still holding out that the guy I meet one day with be one of those #instagramboyfriends turned husband) which gives them more freedom in pictures, locations, etc. I on the other hand just have a tripod, self timer, and remote, so my visions are not always a reality and taking pictures of yourself with a tripod can be awkward, especially when there are people around. 
  10. It's kind of a full time job I don't get paid for! When I am not in college classes, teaching, spending time with my family, traveling, or studying I am probably blogging. More recently blogging has become a weekend gig, but often times in the past I would spend a part of every day taking pictures, editing, writing, or styling outfits for the blog, so yes.....it can easily become a full time / part time job that you don't get paid for.....except in creativity:) 
  11. For the modest at heart (me) being a blogger tends to get you recognized more frequently by your craft. People will mention that they read my latest post or love the pictures I take, saw my latest YouTube video, etc. My mom is always telling people I have a blog which is always weird for me to hear, but if my style defines me as a blogger I guess that's okay? Friends, acquantances, and family now know I am a blogger and as someone who shares more of herself on the blog than with people in real life that gives people a glimpse of me that they probably wouldn't always get to see. 
  12. I am becoming one of those #basic bloggers who plans her outfits around the places I go and chooses accessories based on what I wear for shoots (insert embaraced monkey emoji). You will constantly see my sister roll her eyes when I walk out of my room in an outfit & my mom will ask if I chose it because it matched the place we were going ("Um....no mom I didn't...JK....LOL")
  13. At the end of the day it is about sharing and connecting! It is sharing about the things you love, opening up about yourself, sharing your passions, and connecting with others who share those same things or understand what you are saying. The blogsphere creates a community of like minded souls who truly listen, share and encourage each other and I love every one of them for it! 

Some of My Favorite Post From This Year:

From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU!!!! Here's to many more years of Minnie Muse and the adventure that await us!!!


Is there anything you would like to see me share on the blog?
What should I do more of?
What is one thing you enjoy about Minnie Muse?


-Madison 

A Day At The Pumpkin Patch

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Skirt: Me Made
Top: Thrifted
Shoes: Target


It's no secret that I LOVE fall! There is just something about the season that makes you marvel at nature, long to breath in the cool crisp breeze, open your window, light a candle, and go to a pumpkin patch. It's also the only season where I actually like orange....and might even be a bit obsessed with it, but I guess that isn't a surprise with my love for pumpkins!

This past weekend I was finally able to visit the pumpkin patch with one of my best friends Elizabeth, and we went all out on the pictures:) If any of you are familiar with Sarah Vickers, she is kind of one of our favorite Instagramers/Blogger and we might be a bit to obsessed with her and her husbands adorable life and style, especially when it comes to fall. Needless to say our day at the pumpkin patch was like living our New England dream life:)

Pumpkins always remind me of my childhood. I can remember going to this exact pumpkin patch as a kid, so getting to visit it again was so much fun. Of course, it is no surprise that I decided to dress for the occassion and specifically made a Pumpkin skirt for the Pumpkin patch, but its kind of the greatest skirt ever and makes me feel like a kid again!

I can't wait to check more things off of my Fall Bucket List!

Do you like pumpkin patches?

 -Madison

In The Kitchen: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Monday, October 16, 2017


Fall in our house means Chocolate Chip Muffins!! Starting September 1st my mom heads to the kitchen to make the first batch of many Chocolate Chip Muffins that we will consume throughout the fall. We have them for breakfast, grab them for a snack, munch on them throughout the day, or even sneak into the kitchen to grab one for a midnight snack. Fall means all things PUMPKIN for me especially and you wouldn't believe the incredible pairing of pumpkin + chocolate:) 

Since Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins are my favorite fall treat and make fall that extra sweet I thought I would share the easy and delicious recipe with you so that you can taste them for yourself!

INGREDIENTS:
3 1/2 Cups Flour
2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
2 tsp. Cinnamon 
1 tsp. Nutmeg
3 Cups sugar
1 Cup Vegetable Oil
4 Eggs
2 Cups Canned or Pure Pumpkin 
1 1/2 - 2 Cups of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips 

DIRECTIONS:
**Preheat oven to 350 Degrees**
1) Before you start, grab a cup of coffee, Pumpkin spice, cider, or fall flavored tea, put on your favorite fall tunes, open a window, grab an apron and get ready to bake!
2) Start by first sifting your dry ingredients (flour, salt, soda,sugar and spices) together into a large bowl.
3) In a separate bowl or mixer, mix the pumpkin, water, oil and eggs together.
4) Carefully pour your dry mixture into your pumpkin mixture in three small amounts...if you pour it all at once be ready for December in a full on blizzard of flour snow:)
5) If you choose to make muffins, spray your muffin pans with non stick spray (or you can use muffins papers), use a mechanical ice cream scoop for the perfect measurement, and scoop the batter into each tray section. This recipe makes around 4 dozen muffins.
6) Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. TIP: I learned a baking tip for checking cupcakes and muffins from a baker at a shop once, and the best way to test if muffins or cupcakes are cooked and ready is whether or not they float back up after you press on the center. So if you open the oven and lightly press on a muffin and it floats back up it is READY! 
7) Cool the muffins on a cooling rack and remove from the pan when they are somewhat cool. 
8) Serve warm with a cold glass of milk! 

If you try out the recipe let me know what you think or tag me if you share it on social media! Hope you enjoy these delectable fall muffins as much as I do. 

Have you made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins before?
What is your favorite fall treat?

-Madison

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